NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2614, 25 May 1877, Page 2

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

THE PROTOCOL.

The following is the full text of a document which has been frequently referred to of late:—

The Powers which in common under* took the pacification of the East, and therefore participated in the Conference, recognise that the surest means of obtaining that object, before all, is to maintain the agreement established, and jointly to affirm the fresh common interest they take in the improvement .of . the condition of the Christians and the inauguration of reforms in Bosnia, Herzegovina and Bulgaria, which the Porte accepted on the condition of itself carrying them into execution. They take cognizance of the treaty of peace with Servia. Begard ing the Montenegro question.- the Powers consider the rectification of the frontiers and the free navigation of the river Bojana desirable in the interest of a solid and durable arrangement. The Powers consider the arrangements concluded or to be concluded between the Porte and these two principalities as a step accomplished toward the pacification which is the object of their common wishes,.and they invitethePorte to consolidate it by replacing its armies on a peace footing, excepting the number of troops indispensable for the maintenance of order, and by putting in hand with the least possible delay the reforms necessary for the tranquility and wellbeing of the provinces, the condition of which was discussed at the Conference. They recognise that the Porte has declared itself ready to realise an important portion of-them, and ihey take cognisance, specially, of the circular of the Porte of February. 13, 1876, and of the declarations made by. the Ottoman Government, during the Conference and since, through its representatives. In view of these good intentions on the part of the Porte, and of its evident interest to carry , them immediately into effect, the Power's I believe that they have grounds for hoping ; that the Porte will profit by the present lull to apply energetically such measures as will cause that effective improvement in the condition of the Christian popu-1

lation, which is unanimously called for as indispensable to the tranquility of Europe, and that, haying once entered upon this path, it will understand that it concerns its honor, as well as its interests, to pei severe in it with loyalty and efficaciously. The Powers propose to watch carefully, by ineaus of their representatives at Constantinople and their local agents, the manner in wlrch the promises of the Ottoman Government ere carried into 1 effect. If their hope should once more be disappointed, and if the condition -of Christian subjects oL the. Sultan should not be improved in a manner to prevent the return of the complications which periodically disturb the peace of the East, -they think it right to declare that such a state of affairs would be incompatible with their interests and those ;6f "Europe in general, and in such case they reserve to themselves the right to consider in common as to the means which they may deeta best fitted to secure the well being of the Christian populations and the interest of the«general peace. • '*.''". Done at London, March 31 1877.:' -. Signed: Munster, JBeust, L. D'Harcourt, Derby, S. F. ftfenabrea* Sjchouvaloff. . To the Protocol are appended , the minutes of too meetings held ajt the Foreign Office March 31st. ■'■'■ SCHOUVALOFF'B DECIABATIOir.

Count fichouvaloff made, the. following declaration before the signing of the pro* tocol,:, '.'lf peace with Montenegro if oon,cluded and the Porte accepts the adfiqjß of: Europe, and shows- itself rready : ,to replace itself on a peace footing and seriously to undertake the reforms mentioned in the protocol, let it send to fct: Petersburg a special envoy to treat of the disarmament, to which His Majesty, the Emperor, would also on his part consent. If massacres similar to those which have stained Bulgaria with blood take place, this would necessarily put a stop to the measures of demobilization. -. ; .-, e; lord deebt'sdeocahation-; ;*';

The following declaration was made by Lord Derby before the signature of the protocal: " Inasmuch as it is solely to theinteresta of European peace that fl«,r Majesty's Government have consented to sign the protocol proposed by Russia, it i« understood beforehand that, in the event of the object proposed not being attained', viz M the practical disarmament of a part of Russia and Turkey, and peace between them, the protocol in question shall be regarded as null and. void."

A strange story comes from the North of Spain. A moribund lauded proprietor, notwithstanding the entreaties of his family and friends, refused to. receive the consolations of religion. Hit family, thinking they had overcome his scruples, sent for the parish priest; but upon his arrival the sick man declined to receive him, and the priest withdrew, declaring that the devil would come in person to carry off so hardened a sinner as soon as he was dead. A few hours afterwards the sick man -died, and while the family were watching over the body the d«or of the room was opened with a great noise, and there appeared upon the, scene " a personage arrayed in red,, brandishing ; a pitchfork, dragging a long tail after him. and smelling very strongly of. sulphur."' His appearance created so much terror that the women present.fainted, and the men rushed out of the. room by another door. A man-servant, hearing the screams, and thinking that thieves had broken into the house, armed himself with a revolver, and made his way to the room from whence they proceeded. For a moment he, too, was terrified by the appearance of " the devil," who by this time had got the body in his arms; but, mastering.his fears, he fired three barrels of his revolver at him, and the supposed devil, who fell to the ground, proved to be the parish sexton, who, by the orders of the priest, had disguised himself* as he conceived, w Satan. He was quite dead when picked up, and four priests, who are suspected of complicity- in this attempt to work upon the superstitious feelings of the family of the deceased, have been taken into custody. ■ ~ In Dublin on March 24 a young woman named Connor summoned Dr Lynch to the police-court for having "damaged a silk dress. She had a few days ago been bridesmaid to a cousin, and the defendant was one of ; the wedding guests. He several, .times attempted to kiaa her, and in'their struggles her dress was torn. He also accidentally spilt'sonie tea on it. The dress was worth £4, and he promised to replace it, but did not. She. said she complained of his. conduct to her aunt, who only laughed, and said "she should get used to it." For the defence it was pleaded that he only took the* recognised liberty with a bridesmaid; but the magistrate said that not being " best man,", he was not privileged. The case excited amusement, and ultimately the magistrate told all parties to " Get away .oat of that."